A Democratic Socialist Blog

Voter Empowerment

A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected are members of one of the two major parties. Under a two-party system, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually referred to as the majority party while the other is the minority party.
Alternative Parties, meaning a party other than one of the two dominant parties, are possible in two-party systems, but they are unlikely to exert much influence by gaining control of legislatures or by winning elections. While there are occasional opinions in the media expressed about the possibility of Alternative parties emerging in the United States, for example, political insiders such as the Eugene V Debs garnering one million votes, Voter and candidate suppression and ballot access restrictions also attack democracy.
Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan are examples of nations that have used a multi-party system effectively in their democracies. In these countries, usually no single party has a parliamentary majority by itself. Instead, multiple political parties form coalitions for the purpose of initiating policies the people benefit from.

Myth: Stealing Votes:
Two Party systems undermine democracy because they disallow freedom of choice and divergent points of view. Other opinions and possible changes in government are disallowed. The myth that alternative parties steal votes undermines the fact that people vote their choice based on there preferences (freedom and liberty). A two party systems locks in centralism and inability to change the government while denying people a chances to move away from designated winners. When people chose their candidate, they do it by free will. People vote to express there interest. It is impossible to steal a vote and is a reinforced political myth perpetuated by the Two Party System.

Myth. Independents:
All Independents are not Democrats or Republicans. An Independent is not someone who is part of an Alternative Party, such as The American Labor Party, Green Party, and others. Most political polls, one 95% said people want more than two political parties.

Myth a Two Party System works:
Actually, it doesn’t two parties weaken the political process because grid lock, lack of change, same issues re-emerging over and over again allows retrogressive policies. Which means no change is ever permanent and issues are never really solved. As the Republicans attack labor rights. Civil rights and civil liberties. Alternative parties mean that progress would happen and political issues solved.

Myth: Alternative Parties are Kooky:
Actually, it is Alternative Parties that made real changes. The Socialist Party of America (current ALP) has a real success story. When Socialist mayors ran Milwaukee, they did the best job of all American Mayors. The Green Platform is very Democratic. Looking at the Alternative Parties, some offer better Democracy and principals than the Democrats or Republicans.

Myth: Alternative Parties Confuse:
Actually they are quite lucid and many offer real solutions. Even the Libertarian and Reform Parties can have something to offer. But research show they are quite lucid and revealing.

Myth: A Two Party System is Democracy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Democrats and Republicans can be called Republicrats because there is not essential difference. Te lack of free choice and shutting down others with different points of view undermines Democracy. America has a One Party system with two wings.

Myth: Voting for Alternative Parties is a wasted vote.
Eugene V Debs said, “ A wasted vote is voting for someone who doesn’t have your interest at heart.” Why should anyone vote for designated winner when they will not
Fulfill your values or political values.” If those votes were wasted. In another way, a vote is an effective communication protest tool, and by voting for a alternative-party candidate you are sending the message that you think the other two are not worthy.

The Fact is Multiple Parties Strengthen Democracy. Research elections is Germany and France. They are real Democracies. In Helsinki it is determined people choose their own way, in democratic program; strengthening democratic electoral processes, this is voter empowerment

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2 thoughts on “Voter Empowerment”

I can’t really agree with this one. I do believe that a vote for an alternative party is a wasted vote. I wish that was not so, I wish we had a true multi-party system, but the fact of the matter is that we do not.

By arguing in favor of voting for alternative parties you are in effect putting the cart before the horse. We have a two party system right now, everything about the current system from the Electoral College to the Ballot Access Rules are designed to preserve the two party structure and disadvantage any third party. Supporting a third party now does not make sense in the face of the current two-party system; the existing system is set up in such a way to make it impossible for a third part to win.

Before we start running third party candidates we must first change our electoral system. Only AFTER the current electoral system is fundamentally altered will it make sense to start supporting alternative parties.

Until we are able to accomplish this I believe we must do everything in our power to limit the damage caused by the two party system. I support the Democrats and will continue to do so until the day the electoral system changes. I do this because while they may not be good, the alternative is far worse. There is very little difference between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to economic policy, but there is a WORLD of difference between them when it comes to social policy – the rights of women, gays, the role of religion and science, etc. The thought of Republicans getting the opportunity to legislate their social policies scares the crap out of me. So I will do everything I can to make sure they do not win; if that means supporting the Democrats than so be it.

I look forward to the day when alternative party candidates are viable choices. But that day is not today.